All residential developments in Dubai, especially those with quality buildings or those in prime areas, have continued where they ended 2012 with a strong Q1 2013 performance.

Apartment sales prices grew on average by 12% in the three months to the end of March 2013 with year-on-year growth standing at 27%. In comparison, although average villa sales prices only climbed 5% in Q1 2013, growth over the past 12 months averaged 24%.
The performance of rental rates was also impressive, average apartment and villa rents grew by 3 and 4% compared to Q4 2012, but still managed to climb 19 and 21% respectively over the past 12 months.

“The overall outlook is positive with demand and rates expected to continue to grow. However, this will also mean that some tenants and buyers will be priced out of certain buildings or communities,” said John Stevens, Managing Director, Asteco Property Management.

“Prices are not only being driven by tenants relocating, Dubai is also attracting new tenants and those expatriates here are still tending to take a longer-term view of living in Dubai,” added Stevens.

The areas that came out on top for villa sales in Q1 2013 were the Meadows which jumped 10% reaching AED11,850 per square metre; Jumeirah Islands which rose 9% achieving AED13,450 per square metre and the Jumeirah Village which also grew 9% to AED6,450 per square metre. Year-on-year villa sales in the Springs grew by 29% to AED 9,700 per square metre and the Palm Jumeirah remains the most expensive at AED20,450 per square metre.

In terms of apartment sales the top performer in Q1 2013 was Discovery Gardens which increased by 33% to AED 6,450 per square metre. The only other double-digit growth was recorded in Dubai Marina and Jumeirah Beach Residence, where rates grew 14 and 15% respectively to AED 12,900 and AED 12,400. Over the past 12 months once again Discovery Gardens was the top achiever climbing an impressive 50% and again the Palm Jumeirah is the most expensive area with property commanding AED16,150 per square metre compared with apartments in DIFC and Downtown Dubai, which now change hands for AED 15,600 and 15,000 per square metre respectively. The Palm Jumeirah remains the most expensive area, with a three-bedroom villa now costing AED 325,000 per annum.
“In terms of supply and demand, Dubai is still benefiting from the Arab Spring and the Euro crisis, which was brought into sharper focus recently with the Cypriot banking crisis. Good quality stock is gradually being reduced while the length of time that advertised units stay on the market now is also shortening,” added Stevens.

Apartment rental rates grew most during Q1 2013 in International City where a two-bedroom unit increased by 8% to AED 40,000, while most other areas recorded up to 3% growth. However on an annual basis, a two-bedroom unit in Discovery Gardens now leases for AED 70,000 a 27% increase. Downtown Dubai and Dubai Marina followed, notching-up increases of 21 and 22% respectively. A two-bedroom apartment in these developments rents on average for between AED 100,000 and AED 125,000.

Although the commercial market saw little movement during 2012, it did show some signs of life in Q1 2013. Rental rates in Dubai Investments Park rose 13% to AED 485 per square metre, while JLT and Tecom rose 20 and 25% respectively to command AED 654 to AED 800 per square metre compared to the same period last year. DIFC remains the premium destination for office rental with AED 2,400 per square foot. Q1 2013 office sales prices grew most notably in JLT (9%) and Business Bay (7%).
For more details, please visit www.asteco.com

A copy of the full Asteco Dubai Q1 2013 report can be downloaded from –

Asteco, a major regional and international real estate services firm and the largest property services company in the United Arab Emirates, was founded in Dubai in 1985. Asteco offers independent market analysis, design development consultancy and valuation services, sales and leasing services, as well as asset and property management services.